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Region 11 Mark of Excellence Awards winners announced
Contacts:
Matthew Kent, SPJ Program Coordinator, 317-920-4788, mkent@spj.org
Zoλ Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes the best collegiate journalism in Region 11 with 2019 Mark of Excellence Awards winners.
SPJs Region 11 comprises Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands and Nevada. First-place winners will compete at the national level among other regional MOE winners from the 12 SPJ regions.
Regional winners would normally be recognized at regional conferences, however, all SPJ Regional Conferences have been either canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Regional winners have been notified by email and will receive their award certificates via mail.
National winners will be notified in the late spring.
MOE Awards entries are judged by professionals with at least three years of journalism experience. Judges were directed to choose entries they felt were among the best in student journalism. If no entry rose to the level of excellence, no award was given. Any category not listed has no winner.
School divisions are based on student enrollment, including both graduate and undergraduate: Large schools have at least 10,000 students and small schools have 9,999 or fewer students.
The list below details all Region 11 winners. If you have any questions regarding the MOE Awards, contact Program Coordinator Matthew Kent via email or 317-920-4788.
This list reflects the spelling and titles submitted in the award entries. New categories this year include Immersion Journalism, Data Visualization and Collaborative Journalism.
Newspapers
Breaking News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Getty fire reaches 39% containment as most evacuation orders are lifted by David Gray and Martin Bilbao, UCLA
Finalist: UH Manoa Bachman Hall occupiers make their final exit from 24/7 sit-in by Cassie Ordonio and Chavonnie Ramos, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Finalist: Homeless encampment removed by Fernando Haro, Omar Rashad and Jun Ueda, El Camino College
Breaking News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: FBI, LVPD investigate hate crimes by Danielle De Luna, Layla Abbas, Jocelyn Arceo and Aryn Plax University of La Verne
Finalist: Law school to downgrade to California Bar accreditation by Layla Abbas, University of La Verne
Finalist: Inquiry finds ASO advisors at fault in case by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran, Southwestern College
General News Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Tucsons ubiquitous shopping cart by Laura Fuchs, University of Arizona
Finalist: Ka Leos Maunakea coverage by Ka Leo O Hawaii staff, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Finalist: Arizona charges less than almost anyone else to graze cattle. Public schools miss out on the money. by Staff, Arizona State University
General News Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: HSU police chief under investigation by Carlos Holguin, Humboldt State University
Finalist: Art student pushes boundaries with nude photography exhibit, administrators push back by Vernie Covarrubias, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Student back after charges dropped by Jocelyn Arceo, University of La Verne
In-Depth Reporting (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Coach under investigation by Arielle Zolezzi, Pierce College
Finalist: 123 have unexpectedly died in nursing homes, but Arizona still gives them top grades by Ethan Millman, Molly Stellino, Erica Block and Megan Boyanton, Arizona State University
Finalist: Pedestrians die every 90 minutes in the U.S., and low-income areas are hurt most by Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Derek Hall, Lindsay Walker and Kailey Broussard, Arizona State University
In-Depth Reporting (Small) 1-9,999 students
Winner: Youth mental health in Oregon by Casey Chaffin, Soka University of America
Finalist: Scholars within the walls of Pelican Bay by Tony Wallin, Humboldt State University
Finalist: Freedom Wall saga casts light on relationship between Pepperdine and LGBTQ+ students by James Moore and Alex Neis, Pepperdine University
Feature Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Young, small, but mighty: Skateboarder Sky Brown shreds path toward Olympics by Jack Harris, Arizona State University
Finalist: Housing Impossible: California community colleges address student homelessness by Casey Ticsay, City College of San Francisco
Finalist: Bachman Hall sit-in coverage by Ka Leo O Hawaii staff, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Feature Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Two countries, six hours one long commute to school by Fernando A. Martinez, Southwestern College
Finalist: The story behind the birth of the internet on the third floor of Boelter Hall by Kate Nucci, UCLA
Finalist: Stranded in Tijuana by Julia Woock, Southwestern College
General Column Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Andrew Raychawdhuri, UCLA
Finalist: Anne Snyder, Arizona State University
Finalist: Devyn Smith, El Camino College
General Column Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Justin Dottery, Southwestern College
Finalist: Jocelyn Arceo, University of La Verne
Sports Writing (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Associate head coach Rance Brown fosters diversity, brings passion to tennis court by Dylan DSouza, UCLA
Finalist: California dunks on the NCAA, passes Fair Pay to Play Act by Andres Soto, California State University, Northridge
Sports Writing (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Bill would let college athletes profit by Joey Matsuzawa, University of La Verne
Finalist: Student athletes fight back against burnout by Rex Sample, University of La Verne
Sports Column Writing
Winner: Sam Connon, UCLA
Editorial Writing
Winner: The Campus Times editorials by Staff of the Campus Times, University of La Verne
Finalist: The Daily Bruin editorials by The Daily Bruin Editorial Board, UCLA
Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Daily Bruin by Staff of The Daily Bruin, UCLA
Best All-Around Non Daily Student Newspaper
Winner: The Sun by Staff of The Sun, Southwestern College
Finalist: City on a Hill Press by Staff of City on a Hill Press, University of California, Santa Cruz
Finalist: The Guardsman by Staff of The Guardsman, City College of San Francisco
Magazines
Non-Fiction Magazine Article
Winner: Designed to fail by Molly Stellino, Arizona State University
Finalist: Rashad Shabazzs Chicago by Chase Hunter B., Arizona State University
Finalist: Finding Home Osprey Magazine Fall 2019 by James Wilde, Abel Anaya, Freddy Brewster and Michael Weber, Humboldt State University
Best Student Magazine
Winner: Currents Magazine by Milan Loiacono, Pepperdine University
Finalist: Osprey Magazine Fall 2019 by Osprey Magazine staff, Humboldt State University
Finalist: La Verne Magazine, Winter 2019 by La Verne Magazine staff, University of La Verne
Art/Graphics
Breaking News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Getty fire by Jintak Han, UCLA
Finalist: Fighting for a better future by Delia Johnson, Arizona State University
Breaking News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Vigil honors grief and healing after hate crimes by Ariel Torres, University of La Verne
Data Visualization
Winner: Mens basketball guard David Singletons freshman year statistics by Ben Brill, UCLA
Finalist: Manoa by the numbers by Amy Lowe, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Feature Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Kings, queens and in-betweens by Delia Johnson, Arizona State University
Finalist: Seeking stability: Venezuelans in Peru by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University
Finalist: Dancers backstage by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University
Feature Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Chicken Charlie by Jaren Cyrus, University of La Verne
Finalist: Fashioning a fabulous quinceaρera by Ashley Villavicencio, University of La Verne
Finalist: Bring the storm by Molly Garry, University of La Verne
Editorial Cartooning
Winner: Editorial cartooning entry by Danielle De Luna, University of La Verne
Finalist: Freedom by Andrea Grigsby, UCLA
Finalist: UCSCs stake in 30 meter telescope by Rose Collins, University of California, Santa Cruz
General News Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: A 21st century migration by Chloe Jones, Arizona State University
Finalist: Bernie Sanders Los Angeles rally by Niveda Tennety, UCLA
Finalist: Defiance and pride by Nicole Neri, Arizona State University
General News Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Finalist: Cultural graduation by Molly Garry, University of La Verne
Photo Illustration (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Cost of crossing by Connor Wodynski and Kevin Hurley Arizona State University
Finalist: Federal judge dissolves restraining order by Lluvia Moreno and Manne Green, University of California, Santa Cruz
Finalist: Borders issue cover by Alex Czaja and Stella Atzenweiler, Arizona State University
Sports Photography (Large) 10,000+ Students
Winner: Making the pitch by Mari Inagaki, El Camino College
Finalist: Sun Devil softball celebration by Nicholas Badders, Arizona State University
Finalist: Arizona State baseball Alika Williams throw by Nicholas Badders, Arizona State University
Sports Photography (Small) 1-9,999 Students
Winner: Ortega leads Leos in SCIAC victory by Veronyca Norcia, University of La Verne
Immersion Journalism
Immersion Journalism
Winner: Homeless realities by JOVRNALISM Staff, USC Annenberg
Finalist: Trashed: The Tijuana River Valley pollution crisis by Alexandrea Bell, Jose Castillo and Justino Mora, USC Annenberg
Finalist: Migrant artifacts: Found items from a deadly journey by Sara Rigatelli, USC Annenberg
Radio
Radio Feature
Winner: The worlds first-ever LGBTQ mariachi band by Jesus Alvarado, University of Southern California
Finalist: A defense of pop by Cate Young, University of Southern California
Finalist: How Chamorros in the diaspora are taking back their culture by Melissa Duenas, University of Southern California
Radio In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Vegas massacre effects One year later by Austin Westfall, Arizona State University
Finalist: Homeless head count and services by Christopher Lindsay, Arizona State University
Radio News Reporting
Winner: Students plan protest in response to new sexual assault allegations by Sasha Urban, University of Southern California
Finalist: Kaiser Permanente mental health care workers go on strike in Pasadena by Jon Reed, University of Southern California
Finalist: Tent city protesters deliver five demands to USC presidents office by Jaeha Joshua Chang, University of Southern California
Radio Sports Reporting
Finalist: Lower the rims by Brittany Smith, California State University, Northridge
Best All-Around Radio Newscast
Winner: From Where We Are: From the ashes of the Woolsey Fire, Malibus true colors shine through by ZaZu Lippert, Aiyonna White, Isaiah Murtaugh and Yuki Liang University of Southern California
Finalist: From Where We Are: Tragedy at Saugus High School by Jaeha Joshua Chang, Luke Scorziell, Yuki Liang and Evan Jacoby, University of Southern California
Finalist: From Where We Are: Live at Grand Park Earth Day 2019 -= by Sabby Robinson, Rennie Svirnovskiy, Katherine Wiles and Sarah Soutoul, University of Southern California
Television
Television General News Reporting
Winner: El Paso community check-up by Frankie McLister, Arizona State University
Finalist: Safford mayor by Bryce Newberry, Arizona State University
Finalist: Return to paradise by Kylie Miller, Natalie Rawson, Scott Andrews and Jared Bosnan, Chapman University
Television Breaking News Reporting
Winner: Migrant caravan arrives in Tijuana by Jessica Cardenas and Xochilt Lagunas, California State University Fullerton
Finalist: Pedestrian deaths by Howard Center for Investigative Journalism staff, Arizona State University
Finalist: Students and parents weigh in on the Saugus High School shooting by Chace Beech and Colin Taylor, University of Southern California
Television Feature Reporting
Winner: Amputation inspires runner by Scotty Gange, Arizona State University
Finalist: Blind courage by Kynan Martin, Dustin Pare, Luke Forstner and Grace Fuerte, Arizona State University
Finalist: Wilderness of the world by Oskar Agredano, Arizona State University
Television In-Depth Reporting
Winner: Native suicides by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University
Finalist: Sexual tourism goes high-tech south of the border by Dominic Torres, California State University Fullerton
Finalist: A sons legacy by Jennifer Alvarez, Arizona State University
Television Sports Reporting
Winner: Basketball abroad by Bailey OCarroll, Arizona State University
Finalist: Pursuit of nameless greatness by Anthony Totri, Arizona State University
Finalist: Fight of a lifetime by Kynan Marlin, Arizona State University
Best All-Around Television Newscast
Finalist: Anchorless newscast by Cronkite News staff, Arizona State University
Best All-Around Television News Magazine
Winner: Cronkite Sports Report: Season 12, Episode 5 by Staff of Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau, Arizona State University
Finalist: Al Dia: A border emergency by Al Dia Border staff California State University Fullerton
Online
Online News Reporting
Winner: McCain Institute head Kurt Volker steps down as US diplomat by Andrew Howard, Arizona State University
Finalist: USC senior assistant director assigned to counsel students from Olivia Jades high school left the admissions office in February by Kaidi Yuan, University of Southern California
Finalist: Historical trauma: Native communities grapple with missing and murdered women by Kelsey Mo, Arizona State University
Online Feature Reporting
Winner: Deported U.S. veterans find aid, comfort in a Tijuana bunker by Madeline Ackley and Mara Friedman, Arizona State University
Finalist: Arcosanti: Grand experiment in sustainable living approaches its 50th year by Lauren Schieler and Meg Potter, Arizona State University
Finalist: Suble Asian traits by Kaia Sherry, UCLA
Online In-Depth Reporting
Winner: 48 male patients say campus doctor sexually abused them and USC was warned - by Sasha Urban, University of Southern California
Finalist: ASU abandoned most of its operational sustainability goals by Molly Stellino, Arizona State University
Finalist: Seeking stability: Venezuelans in Peru by Southwest Borderlands Initiative staff, Arizona State University
Online Sports Reporting
Winner: Chaotic, beautiful thing: The story behind Party Hard Wrestling by Tyler Dunn, Arizona State University
Finalist: ASU esports seeks official program status with more institutional support by Jason Krell, Arizona State University
Finalist: Why are so many horses dying? Turf Paradise looks to find answers by Jake Goodrick, Arizona State University
Online Opinion & Commentary
Winner: Faith Bonds, University of Southern California
Finalist: Alex Coil, Arizona State University
Finalist: Daniel Rubio, Arizona State University
Best Affiliated Web Site
Finalist: The Union by Staff, El Camino College
Best Independent Online Student Publication
Winner: The Cronkite News by Staff of the Cronkite News, Arizona State University
Finalist: The State Press by Staff of The State Press, Arizona State University
Best Use of Multimedia
Winner: Death of a dream: Two responses to migrants who go missing in the desert by Nicole Ludden, Julia Hernandez, Meg Potter and Erica Figueroa, Arizona State University
Finalist: A different border crisis: Its not security or immigration, its about sewage by Chloe Jones, Austin Westfall, Jonah Hrkal and Mia Armstrong, Arizona State University
Finalist: Generations of activism by Tyler Aquilina, Loyola Marymount University
Podcast
Podcast
Winner: The Freedom Wall, Crossroads, and Pepperdines relationship with its LGBTQ+ students by James Moore and Alex Neis, Pepperdine University
Finalist: State Press Play: How effective is Tempes Orbit system? by Balin Overstolz-McNair, Arizona State University
Finalist: In the know: Money talks, NCAA walks by Omar Said and Sam Cannon, UCLA
Videography
Online/Digital News Videography
Winner: On the border of a new future: Young Venezuelans in Peru by Molly Duerig, Arizona State University
Finalist: Hostel without borders by Allie Barton, Arizona State University
Online/Digital Feature Videography
Winner: Homeless on the Joe Rodota Trail by Rebecca Bell and Heather Murray, Santa Rosa Junior College
Finalist: Desert WAVE robotics team makes a splash for women in STEM by Connor Child, Arizona State University
Finalist: Dirty business by Yutao Chen and Francesca Fenzi, University of California, Berkeley
Broadcast Feature Videography
Winner: Homeless pets by Samantha Gebers, Arizona State University
Broadcast Sports Videography
Winner: Lifes curveball The Stallard story by Kynan Marlin, Arizona State University
Finalist: Chapman football home opener by Bradley Benson, Chapman University
SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund, or give to the SPJ Foundation.
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